Love more and more

Sunday, March 22, 2020 - 10:15 AM

Week One—for Sunday, March 22 

Preparatory content

View the bulletin View the slides

View the worship service video playlist on YouTube

Prepare to hear His word

Sing together O Lord, My Rock and My Redeemer 

Read His word

Read through 1 Thess 4: 1-2, 9-12 

1 Thessalonians 4:1-2 New International Version (NIV)

As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 4:9-12 New International Version (NIV)

Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. And in fact, you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more, and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

Sermon

Watch the video of PB’s message

Align time

Connect with your group for discussion of our text together. 

Questions to probe our text and live it: 

1. Does everyone know each other in our group? Let’s give our names and city/street we live on. Anyone currently working from home? 
2. Did everyone get a chance to listen to the suggested song on YouTube (“O Lord, My Rock and My Redeemer”)? How about PB’s message? Could you view the PowerPoint slides? 
3. Take no more than 30 seconds. On a scale of 1-5 (1 = awful, 5 = amazing) what is your experience so far with this COVID-19 crisis? Any COVID cabin fever yet? 
4. Re-read 1 Th 4:1-2, 9-12. What words or phrases in our Bible passage hit you today as we hunker down at home? 
5. Paul gives us further ways to please God and press for excellence. Last week the topics were sexual purity & sanctification. This week we look at love & productivity. Let’s get started. 
   1. Why should anyone want to please God completely, even extravagantly? 
   2. Why should a believer want this even more right now? 
6. Some of you have been to Urban Hope (Philadelphia). Others to prisons and jails (“Behind the Walls” or Louisiana State Prison). By examples or through experiences, how has God nudged you to care more practically for others? 
7. In verse 12 Paul talks about the value of being respected by those outside of Christ. Why should this matter to us today? 
8. What are some opportunities you see because of our present COVID-19 separation? 
   1. For me personally? 
   2. For my family and friends/classmates? 
   3. For my neighbors and co-workers? 
   4. For my church? 
9. Any prayer requests for your group? 
10. Pray together and include, “God guide me to responsive people.” Feel free to add specific names of any who are responding. “Amen!” 
11. Any news to pass along? What do you need help with? How are you financially? 
12. Just a reminder that our offerings are still needed to meet current obligations and to respond to needs that will arise in the church and in the community.  
    1. Mail in to church office.  
    2. On-line giving should be ready very soon.  
    3. Watch the church website and Facebook page for updates. 
13. How did this go today? What would make it even better? Who could we add to our group? 

Close

Sing together Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

Pray together PB's closing prayer